A brolly good show to beat the showers

Apr 5 2008 by Hannah Davies, The Journal

Lisa Haynes finds out how to beat the April showers with style.

SUNGLASSES or umbrella? If there are two basics you need for your handbag right now, it’s these polar opposites of the accessories spectrum.

With April showers and spring sunshine on the way, even the most style-savvy weather forecaster can end up baffled about what to put on in the mornings.

But rest assured, when the heavens do open, even if only for a couple of minutes, you can stay prepared with the most stylish of all-weather pieces!

MAC MAGIC

If you buy just one spring essential, make it a mac. Single or double-breasted, it will be the one wardrobe staple that transforms your outfits in an instant – and protects you from the changeable elements. For the best in bright macs try Kaleidoscope red-belted mac, £50. If you’re not a fan of bright clothes or can’t get enough of prints, tone down your outerwear with a classic neutral mac in black, navy or cream. It’s a timeless piece that won’t date after one season. Go for Next neutral mac, £65, or Joules Amelie mac in Jet, £59.

UMBRELLA BRIGADE

With floods and gales battering Britain, your umbrella may well need to be put into retirement for working overtime during the winter months so replace with a brolly that has fashion credentials.

If you don’t mind carrying your umbrella proudly in hand, try Graham and Green’s retro, dotted umbrella, £14.95.

Prefer something more modern? Put some panache into April showers with a show-stopping print umbrella. Look Celia Birtwell’s Candy Flower umbrella at Millets, £14.99, or Blacks floral umbrella, £12.99.

WELLINGTON BOOTY

Don’t relegate your wellington boots to the broom cupboard until festival fever arrives. Celebrities such as Peaches Geldof, Alexa Chung and Kate Moss have all put wellies firmly on the fashion radar over recent months. Keep tootsies super-dry and stylish with Brantano stripe wellingtons, £20 or Graham and Green monochrome print wellingtons, £37.

STOCKISTS

Blacks, Grainger Street, Newcastle, (0800) 66 54 10, www.blacks.co.uk

Brantano, www.brantano.co.uk

Graham and Green, (0845) 130 6622, www.grahamandgreen.co.uk

Joules, (0845) 606-6871, www.joulesclothing.com

Kaleidoscope, www.kaleidoscope.co.uk

Millets, (0800) 389-5861, www.millets.co.uk

Next, Northumberland Street, Newcastle, (0845) 600-7000, www.next.co.uk